This is the latest in my series of podcasts explaining how economics works in the credit crunch and now virus pandemic era. This week I give my thoughts on:- The growing UK energy crisis and its impl

This is the latest in my series of podcasts explaining how economics works in the credit crunch and now virus pandemic era. This week I give my thoughts on:- The growing UK energy crisis and its impl

Earlier this morning we heard from Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey who no doubt had enjoyed the hospitality of the IMF as a way of recovering from a long and arduous flight to Bangkok in Thailand. In fact with Deputy Governor Sarah Breeden and Chief Economist Huw Pill there we see another example of the Governor's patronage power. Along the way they seem to have mislaid part of their mission statement.

This morning has opened with some good economic news from the UK from the Office for National Statistics. In the month to August 2026: Monthly GDP grew by 0.1% in August 2026, following an unrevised growth of 0.4% in July 2026 and a growth of 0.4% in June 2026 (revised up from a 0.3% growth in our previous publication). There are two strands to this of which the first is that we continue to see monthly growth when expectations were for a possible fall.

This morning has brought a reminder of an important background factor in The Lost Decade being experienced by Japan. As reported by Financial Times, TDK is partnering with a local authority in Yurihonjo, Akita, to build a dormitory-town complex on 10 hectares of rice fields to draw workers into one of Japan’s fastest-depopulating regions. The development is designed to house 350 employees and includes modern rental apartments, along with shared facilities such as a canteen, gym, DIY room and barbecue areas that are also open to the public.

This morning we have head from the International Monetary Fund or IMF and once we get over its rather ominous repeated use of the word resilience there is some good news for China in it. Global act…

This morning we have head from the International Monetary Fund or IMF and once we get over its rather ominous repeated use of the word resilience there is some good news for China in it. Global activity is projected to grow at 3.1 percent in 2026 and 3.4 percent in 2027. That looks hopeful for demand for Chinese exports. As to the resilience point both the Irish and Italian banks were resilient right up until the day before they collapsed.

This has been an unusual run up to a UK Budget as we are in the phase where the UK Chancellor flies kites about his  or her plans whereas this time round Chancellor Healey has found himself trapped in a spiders web of problems. This Morning's addition to the list comes via the Financial Times, Healey’s Budget will be ‘fiction’ without plan for £35bn hole in spending, IFS warns…

This is the latest in my series of podcasts explaining how economics works in the credit crunch and now virus pandemic era. This week I give my thoughts on:- I was asked by my daughter last night if

This is the latest in my series of podcasts explaining how economics works in the credit crunch and now virus pandemic era. This week I give my thoughts on:- I was asked by my daughter last night if

This is the latest in my series of podcasts explaining how economics works in the credit crunch and now virus pandemic era. This week I give my thoughts on:- Red Alert Klaxon. Le Spread exceeds 150 b

Yesterday saw a change in policy from the European Central Bank or ECB as we saw its President Christine Lagarde begin open mouth operations on bond markets. The European Central Bank has the instruments to stabilize financial markets if required, President Christine Lagarde told euro-area finance ministers. (Bloomberg) She was of course referring to bond markets and in particular the one of her home country France.

Overnight we saw the first real leak of the plans that UK Chancellor John Healey has for his Budget later this month. FT Exclusive: Higher borrowing costs and rising inflation are likely to have slashed chancellor John Healey’s headroom in half, according to FT estimates, forcing him to lean on Budget tax rises and spending cuts to ease living costs.....Iran war blows near-£12bn hole in Britain's public finances.

This morning has produced news which will have sent a chill down the spine of the research student scheduled to present the morning meeting. They could  try to deflect with this update from The Halifax. Northern Ireland continues to lead the UK, with annual house price growth i ncreasing to +7.4 % from 6.8% last month. T he average property value has also reached a new record high of £231,917.